Pakistan, who won the preceding three-match Test series 2-0, will be in a tight corner as they seek huge improvement in their one-day rankings, in order to lift themselves for the 2019 World Cup to be held in England.

Besides hosts England, seven other top-ranked sides as of 30 September 2017, will qualify directly for the World Cup, the only way Pakistan can move up the order is by winning matches against the higher-ranked sides.

Pakistan, currently ranked eighth as compared to England’s sixth, will be hoping they do not repeat their below-par performances they gave in 2012 when they were blanked 4-0 in the United Arab Emirates.

Head coach Waqar Younis believes the current series is an important one for Pakistan.

“We know the importance of this series and have to do well to build the side for the future, especially with the Champions Trophy 2017, rankings and the 2019 World Cup all in the mind,” said Waqar.

Under Waqar Pakistan had struggled in the 50-over format, losing to Sri Lanka, Australia and New Zealand last year before going down in New Zealand and failing to progress beyond the last eight in the 2015 World Cup.

But the worst came in Bangladesh where Pakistan were routed 3-0 in April — their first series defeat against the neighbours.

Since then Pakistan beat Zimbabwe twice (home and away) and Sri Lanka — a progress Waqar wants to build on.